|
RELEASED:
2006
DIRECTOR(s):
Nancy Meyers
PERSONAL RATING:
●●●●●
|
Iris Simpkins, a society
columnist for the Daily Telegraph in London, is obsessively in love with
her ex-boyfriend, Jasper Bloom; even though he cheated on her and is
currently in a relationship, Jasper has been keeping Iris close under the
guise of 'remaining friends'. When he announces his engagement at the
company Christmas party, Iris is devastated.
Amanda Woods, owner of a film trailer company in Los Angeles, breaks up
with her film composer boyfriend, Ethan, after he cheats on her, citing
her emotional unavailability. Coming across Iris's listing of her Surrey
cottage on a home swap website, she messages her, and the two agree to
switch houses for two weeks starting the next day.
Iris happily settles into Amanda's large house, but Amanda has trouble
adjusting to quiet English country life and decides to return home the
next day. That night, Iris's brother, Graham, drops by after drinking too
much at the local pub, asking to spend the night. Amanda agrees, and after
they talk, Graham unexpectedly kisses her on the lips; she suggests they
have sex because she does not expect to see him ever again. The next
morning, despite enjoying their time together, they go their separate
ways. However, Amanda decides to stay and continue seeing Graham.
Iris meets Arthur Abbott, Amanda's elderly neighbour, an Oscar-winning
screenwriter from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Over dinner, Iris reveals
her troubles with Jasper, and Arthur gives her a long list of classic
films with strong female characters such as The Lady Eve, so she can
become "the leading lady of her own life." She returns his kindness by
helping him prepare for a Writers Guild of America gala in his honour.
Meanwhile, Iris befriends Miles, a colleague of Ethan's who is dating
aspiring actress Maggie. After he catches Maggie with another man, Iris
and Miles bond over their similar relationship troubles, and they have
dinner together on Christmas Eve.
Amanda and Graham become closer, but she believes she is one of many women
in his life. Surprising him one evening at his house, she discovers he is
a widower with two young daughters, Sophie and Olivia. He reveals that he
never tells new romantic partners about his daughters, because
compartmentalizing his life helps him deal with the overwhelming
responsibility of being a single working father, and he does not want to
bring a woman into the girls' lives unless the relationship definitely has
a future.
On the gala day, Maggie asks Miles to take her back, but he refuses.
Jasper surprises Iris by showing up at Amanda's wanting to reignite their
romance, but when he reveals he is still engaged, she kicks him out. At
the gala, Arthur gives a rousing speech, and Miles asks Iris out on a date
for New Year's Eve. She tells him that she will be returning to England
soon. Miles admits he's never been to England, so he asks if he could
accompany her home for New Year's and she happily accepts, and they kiss.
Graham tells Amanda he has fallen in love with her, and while she says she
does not return the sentiment, they pessimistically agree to try to make a
long-distance relationship work. While heading to the airport, Amanda
breaks down crying for the first time in years, and runs back to the
cottage to find Graham similarly in tears; they decide to spend New Year's
Eve together with his daughters.
On New Year's Eve, Iris, Amanda, Miles, Graham, Sophie, and Olivia all
happily celebrate together at Graham's house. |
